Five hundred and ninetieth eight chapters meet and smile
Zhang Shicheng's descent to the sky cannot be said to be without any disturbance. It can also be said that the world is turned upside down and the sun and moon are dimmed.
If we want to say who knows the salt method best in the world, there is no doubt that this person must be Zhang Shicheng, no one else!
He worked as a salt worker and private salt dealer for the first half of his life, and he finally understood the game from bottom to top.
Next, he dominated one side, mainly relying on the salt from Huaidong, and he collected taxes from the top down, allowing him to understand both ends.
Although he lost to Lao Zhu, it cannot be said that Zhang Shicheng is too weak. After all, Zhu Yuanzhang is too strong and he has no chance of winning.
Now I have changed to a salt merchant. No matter how big the salt merchant is, it is impossible to outplay this one!
Since the salt merchant is not good enough, can someone else think of a way?
For example, kill Zhang Shicheng?
"Pass my order and tell everyone along the line to go all out to protect King Huai's safety. Tell them that if King Huai makes a mistake, they will never end well, not only them, but also his nine tribes!"
Li Shanchang had issued a strict order, and he was fully aware that this matter was now at a critical point of life and death, and he was not exaggerating at all.
Zhang Ximeng ignored the obstruction of the Salt Law and impeached the prince, but Zhu Yuanzhang only captured Ru Taisu.
These two people didn't move, not because they didn't dare, but because they were waiting for the opportunity.
To put it simply, this is a pit waiting to bury people!
Now Zhang Shicheng is the trump card played by Zhang Ximeng. If he has three advantages and two disadvantages, then it is Zhu Yuanzhang's turn to play the trump card.
Need more words about Lao Zhu’s trump card?
The number of people who died when they attacked Suzhou City and wiped out Zhang Shicheng's forces must be at least doubled this time, or even several times higher.
Even for Zhang Shicheng, it was a huge profit, and it was worth it for him to be able to drag so many people to die together!
Li Shanchang's head was buzzing, he was out of his mind, and he couldn't sleep at night.
Over the years, Zhang Ximeng's operations have made him shout that he is invincible. As a result, Zhang Ximeng can always come up with new tricks to surprise him.
Otherwise, I'd better resign as soon as possible, otherwise I may not be able to go home alive!
Li Shanchang had reason to be trembling. When Zhang Shicheng took a boat and passed through the Lianghuai River, many elders from his hometown came to see Zhang Shicheng.
After arriving in Yangzhou, Zhang Shicheng was finally willing to come out to meet the big guys.
"Folks and elders! The first half of my life has passed. What Zhang Shicheng is has its own history. But now, I, Zhang Shicheng, want to do something good and do something that benefits the country and the people. I can't stand up to the rebels.
The name is just dead."
"Don't worry, everyone. I, Zhang Shicheng, tell everyone that except for the salary from the business firm, I don't take a penny, I don't accept a gift, I don't eat a meal, and I don't meet any of my friends in private. I only ask for two things when doing things.
One, lower the price of salt, and two, the salt tax that should be collected cannot be less."
"In other words, if you are worthy of the country, you should be worthy of the people. Don't think that just because you are Zhang Shicheng's fellow countrymen, you can get any advantage! No! It can't be done! Even if the elders in my hometown scold me and poke my bones, I will still
No matter what! At Zhang Shicheng’s age, he still knows what’s good and what’s good! I’ll say goodbye now!”
After saying that, Zhang Shicheng turned around and entered the cabin. Behind him, thunderous applause sounded, and the people cheered endlessly.
"Well done, Your Highness Prince Huai!"
"King Huai Warriors!"
"Huai Wang for eternity!"
…
Hearing these cheers, Zhang Shicheng's eyes turned red in the cabin.
He also enjoyed the sincere cheers of the people.
For example, when he led 18 poles and captured Taizhou, and when he fought fiercely in Gaoyou and defeated Tuotuo, he was also aggressive and had a king's heart when he went south to capture Suzhou.
Things in the past are still vivid in my mind, as if they were yesterday.
He has risen and fallen.
When he dominated one side, he did not think of rectifying the salt law to benefit the people.
Now that he is down and out, he actually has the opportunity to rectify the Salt Law.
God really knows how to joke!
If he had had this courage back then, maybe he would have been the one sitting on the Ying Tianlong Chair.
I never imagined that one day I would have to consolidate the country for someone named Zhu!
That’s it!
Anyway, what I receive is not Zhu Yuanzhang’s salary, I am for the people, and I am justified!
Zhang Shicheng was sitting on the boat crossing the river, thinking about it and making final preparations.
He had already known about the salt method, and what he had to consider now was just which step to take.
When Zhang Shicheng's boat successfully crossed the river, he set foot on the land south of the Yangtze River. He was met by thousands of Yingtian people and dozens of reporters waiting here.
"Your Highness King Huai, how are you going to deal with those salt merchants?"
"The common people are watching!"
"King Huai, don't let us down!"
Faced with this situation, Zhang Shicheng's blood surged and he blurted out: "Don't worry, everyone, Zhang Shicheng will not let the people down for the second time!"
Yes, the first time he rebelled, he ended up at both ends. It is reasonable to say that he was ashamed of his parents.
Now it’s the second time, I can’t go wrong again!
As soon as Zhang Shicheng arrived in Yingtian, he took the initiative to accept an interview and talked about his views on the Salt Law.
One of the core points that Zhang Shicheng talked about is that the price of salt is very cheap.
Since the sun salt method is cheaper, the price of salt can be equal to the price of grain, or even half of the price of grain, and the capital can be preserved.
Throughout the ages, the reason why salt has always been very expensive is because of the salt law.
There are too many people who want to use salt to exploit the people, salt merchants, corrupt officials, local powerful people... everyone intervenes and profits from it, so the price of salt remains high.
Originally this was an almost unsolvable matter.
Fortunately, if the emperor loves the people, if there are ministers in the court who care for the people, if the emperor and his ministers are of the same mind, and the superiors and subordinates are one, then nothing can be done!
It was not easy, Zhang Shicheng actually flattered Zhu Yuanzhang for the success of the salt method.
Newspapers also began to write articles and reports.
When Zhang Shicheng dominated Suzhou, he did not have such a reputation.
Then, under the spotlight, Zhang Shicheng came up with his own plan.
Changlu Salt Farm will provide reserve salt to Taicang at the price of three cents per catty.
When the price was announced, everyone was stunned.
Because no matter how you calculate it, three cents is a loss.
Zhang Shicheng, you are just up to no good!
In the face of doubts, Zhang Shicheng was not afraid at all and responded calmly... First of all, the conditions of Changlu Salt Farm are good and the latest technology is available, so our costs are very low.
Secondly, according to Zhang Shicheng's original proposal, use grain ships to transport salt. When you go there, the ship is full of grain, and when you come back, the ship is full of salt. This can be regarded as making the best use of everything.
And this time Zhang Shicheng brought some salt with him from Changlu to Yingtian.
According to Zhang Shicheng's calculation, one stone salt can generate about ten cents in profit.
Zhang Shicheng was very satisfied with doing business with the imperial court, replenishing Changpingcang reserves, and still making money.
We can give the imperial court a permanent warehouse, and within two years, provide enough salt reserves for the people of the world to use for three months.
With these reserves, it is enough to avoid risks.
Of course, what he gave the court was just a price for bulk supply.
If we sell salt to the common people, we need to raise the price a bit more.
Zhang Shicheng said that as long as permission is given, a group of salt trading houses can be set up in Yingtian in the near future, and the lowest salt price can be as low as seven cents!
Crazy!
It's crazy!
Now the most expensive salt in the Ming Dynasty is almost forty yuan. This is no longer a cut in half, but a cut from the ankle. Who can bear it?
Standing opposite Zhang Shicheng were no strangers either. There were dozens of major salt merchants from the Ministry of Revenue, the Taxation Department, the Salt Transport Envoy Yamen, as well as from Huaihe and Zhejiang provinces.
They also launched newspapers and began to attack Zhang Shicheng.
Simply speaking from a plan perspective, what Zhang Shicheng proposed is already impeccable. Changlu Saltworks has the strength to do it.
Those who cause trouble are simply being unreasonable.
However, they quickly found a way, which was to attack Zhang Shicheng's origin.
Many people say that Zhang Shicheng was a prisoner of subjugation and a despicable bitch.
He had already brought himself to ruin. How could he not kill the Ming Dynasty with such a person?
You absolutely cannot listen to him.
Several censors actually wrote a letter to impeach Zhang Shicheng.
At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly did something that no one expected. He personally visited the house and invited Zhang Shicheng to the palace for a banquet.
"Over the years, there are fewer and fewer people who can chat with us. No matter what the two of us said in the past...we both have the heart to overthrow Yuan Ting. We succeeded and you failed. Now that we have
One cup, forget about the past, what do you think?"
Zhang Shicheng nodded, "Your Majesty, I accept it! If I win, I will never let you go. So, I deserve to lose!"
Zhang Shicheng nodded and said: "We can't just forget about the past, we have to let the common people kowtow to His Majesty!"
With that said, Zhang Shicheng lifted up his robe and knelt firmly on the ground!
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and invited him into the palace for a banquet. The two of them got really drunk and chatted happily, just like old friends.
After this drink, no one dared to attack Zhang Shicheng casually anymore.
After all, Your Majesty is willing to expose it, so you still dare to hold on to it?
Not long after Zhang Shicheng entered Yingtian, more than a dozen ships filled with salt arrived at Yingtian from the mouth of the Yangtze River.
The person who sent the salt was none other than Fang Guozhen!
"No matter what happens, I will help the good things that benefit the country and the people!"
The arrival of Fang Guozhen was a divine assist, because Zhang Shicheng had only proposed the plan before, but the Ministry of Revenue was still insisting on it, the Salt Transport Envoy Yamen was unwilling to let go, and even Chang Pingcang had not decided to purchase it.
It's okay this time, Fang Guozhen brought the salt.
Zhang Shicheng was overjoyed. Although neither he nor Lao Fang could defeat Zhu Yuanzhang, they were still strong men at the level of rebels. Even if they joined forces, they couldn't defeat a mere salt merchant? It was like a joke!
Zhang Shicheng couldn't wait to request the order and first opened five trading houses to sell salt.
Zhu Yuanzhang immediately approved and asked the Arch Guards Department to take out several shops and hand them over to Zhang Shicheng.
Not surprisingly, table salt has started to be sold...cheap salt costing only seven cents a pound is here!